The 8 Best Pairs of Compression Socks We Tried to Support Circulation, Reduce Foot Pain, and More

Lower-level compression socks are recommended for daily wear, including swelling from standing all day.

Graduated compression means socks are tighter at the ankle than at the top, which enables them to direct blood flow back to the heart. Ungraduated compression means there’s an even amount of compression across the entire sock. While these socks can provide comfort, they’re typically not used for medical conditions.

I wore this pair trail running and found that I had significantly less soreness and swelling post-run. The lightweight, silky material was breathable and kept my feet dry. They also stayed up well and didn’t irritate the skin around my knees. As a bonus, they offered protection against the brush I was running through.

One thing to note is the sizing and shape may feel a little off. While the socks fit well for the most part, there was a lot of annoying excess fabric at the toe, despite the fact that I’d used the sizing guide to inform my purchase. I could choose from S/M, L/XL, or 2XL and went with my normal size. Finally, I wouldn’t wear these for much longer than a few hours post run — with a compression level this high, I didn’t find them comfortable enough to wear all day.

I loved that Physix offers plenty of variety — I could choose from several cute color options, from black and electric blue to nude to white. The brand also sells low-cut socks with high-level 20 to 30 mmHg compression, and you can get combination packs. Plus, it offers 10 percent and 20 percent discounts when you buy bundles.

Since I don’t have a medical condition or a job where I’m on my feet all day, I don’t need super strong compression. These affordable, well-constructed knee-high compression socks were subtle, but effective at keeping my circulation strong as I sat working at my desk all day. I often forgot I was wearing compression socks, but I still felt less blood flow when I took them off. The soft, lightweight fabric made them comfortable to wear while running errands or going about everyday activities.

Plus, they’re cute — I got a gray pair with a muted blue floral print, giving them the look of regular day-to-day socks. I could have also picked a black and gray striped pair, blue tie dye, or several other options. They also come in packs of two. Just keep in mind that they might not be sufficient if you’re standing on concrete all day, have pregnancy-related foot swelling, or otherwise need strong compression. I also don’t see them lasting that long — the fabric didn't feel or look super durable. Note that the socks are also available for men, and both come in two sizes.

The graduated, medium-level compression of these socks gently supported my circulation without being too distracting. This pair doesn’t have the cushioning you’d find in a pair of sports compression socks, but they were perfect for a day of working from home. I appreciated that they came in a range of subtle patterns and colors, all of which had an everyday look. The lightweight fabric was breathable and thin enough that I could pull my boots on over them too — great for going from my work desk out to run errands. Despite being moderate compression, I did find them a little fussy to get on and off.

Comrad excels in the sheer variety of compression socks it offers, from crew socks designed for work boots to calf compression sleeves suited for cyclers to recycled cotton knee-high pairs. All come individually or in a variety of sizes of packs. Socks are available in different colors and patterns, including seasonal varieties with Christmas trees. Comrad also sells socks at all three compression levels. It sells MW/LW sizes for people with wide calves, in addition to S through XL.

It was hard not to like these comfy, cute, and strong but gentle compression socks. They fit perfectly, and unlike some other brands, had good compression — the highest level you can get without a prescription — but didn’t feel overly constricting. Also, unlike many other pairs, they were very easy to take on and off. The merino wool meant they were warm and cozy while still being breathable. They made my feet more comfortable when lounging on the couch, working from home all day, or going for post-dinner walks. I loved that my feet never felt hot or sweaty due to the thermoregulating, moisture-wicking wool blend.

A quick search on the site showed me that Sockwell’s selection is extensive. Beyond the pair I tried, they make moderate-level (15 to 20 mmHg) socks and diabetic socks, among others, in a variety of lengths. Three-pack gift bundles come with a free canvas sock bag. It was nice to see that Sockwell uses sustainably produced, USA-grown Merino wool and offers a warranty if the return date has passed and you feel your socks are defective. The only issue is the high price tag, so these might be a good gift. Keep in mind that for women, the socks come in S/M and M/L, while men have the option of M/L, L/XL, or L/XXL.

These were among my absolute favorite pairs. Not only are they discreet and sleek no-show socks, but they actually offer pretty strong compression compared to the other similar no-show styles I tried. Additionally, with significant cushioning and compression around the arches — perfect for flat-footed people like me — they’re very supportive for athletic activities. I wore these at a music festival where I danced all day for multiple days in a row, and my feet were noticeably less swollen and achy than they’d be with normal socks. They fit my feet like a glove, cushioned my arches, and kept my feet dry and cool after dancing. My only gripe is that they’re not fully no-show and peeked out from my shoes.

Sitoisbe has a full store on Amazon — besides no-show socks, you can purchase crew and quarter-length socks with moderate compression. They come in a range of colors, from bright to muted, in bundles of four to eight. Keep in mind that the no-show socks only come in sizes M to XL, while the other styles include size S. Check the storefront’s “Deal” section to see which pairs are discounted.

I loved that these ankle socks offered the strongest over-the-counter compression available, but kept my calves and legs free. They also offered more warmth and protection than a no-show pair would. With six compression rings around the ankle, they’d be great for anyone with weakness, instability, or a previous injury in this area (though ask your doctor if this is you). I have narrow ankles, which I’m always worried could contribute to a running injury. Wearing these helped me feel more supported. They were also very comfortable and cushioned, with a reinforced arch (perfect for my flat feet) and cushioning for shock absorption. They were comfortable enough to wear lounging around at home, and I noticed less soreness in my feet after my runs after wearing them. My only complaint is that I can’t wear these with sneakers unless I want a medical-grade-looking sock peeking out.

Neenca also offers shin and calf-length socks with strong compression sizes S through XXL, in addition to knee braces, knee sleeves, back braces, and more. The brand is focused on supporting active people to prevent or recover from injury with medical-grade products.

I really loved these thick, soft, and warm socks. The merino wool blend gave them a cozy, luxurious feel, and the graduated compression level was moderate — not too tight but more noticeable than the lightest brands. They stayed up well and kept my feet warm for three nights at the festival, which, being in the mountains, had night temperatures in the low 40s. I was doing a lot of walking and dancing, yet my feet felt comfortable and cushioned, never sore or sweaty. I could see these being great travel or hiking socks for people going to places with cooler temperatures. Despite their warmth though, I’m dubious as to how toasty they’d be in freezing temperatures, although the brand markets them as appropriate for extreme cold weather.

Sonoran socks are sold individually and come in three sizes: S/M, M/L, and L/XL. It also sells knee-high nonwool, polyester 20 to 30 mmHg compression socks for running and athletics that come in two- or four-pack bundles.

At $16.99 for a pack of six on the brand’s website, Charm King’s graduated compression socks definitely give the most bang for your buck. The moderate-level socks kept my feet comfy on a few short plane rides, as well as while running errands and sitting at my desk. Unlike many other more finicky socks, these were easy to slip on and off but still felt like they gave good compression — which was a relief while traveling. Also, while they’re made of cheaper material, they were actually pretty comfortable to wear. The only issue is their breathability and, as a result, their moisture-wicking properties. I found my feet were a bit sweaty after a long day. All in all though, these are a great choice considering the price.

The socks come in neutrals, colors, and prints in just two sizes — S/M and L/XL. They also come in three-, six-, and eight-packs. Additionally, Charm King offers thigh-high and sporty no-show compression socks with moderate compression.